Optometrist Salary

Orlando vs Tamarac: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Orlando, FL and Tamarac, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$164,829
$79.25/hr
Tamarac, FL
$159,103
$76.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLTamarac, FL
Median Salary$164,829$159,103
Hourly Rate$79.25$76.49
Entry Level (P10)$88,154$92,304
25th Percentile$129,256$130,192
75th Percentile$168,010$194,464
Top Earner (P90)$199,434$237,257
Total Employed29011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($164,829) and Tamarac ($159,103) optometrist salaries.OrlandoTamaracMedian Salary$164,829$159,103Entry Level (P10)$88,154$92,304Top Earner (P90)$199,434$237,257US Median $140,612

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tamarac.

The salary gap between Orlando and Tamarac is $5,726 (3.60%). Orlando's median is +17.22% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $111,280,Tamarac spans $144,953. Tamarac has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$88,154
P25$129,256
Median$164,829
P75$168,010
P90 (Top)$199,434
Tamarac
P10 (Entry)$92,304
P25$130,192
Median$159,103
P75$194,464
P90 (Top)$237,257

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($162,524 effective) pays 2.97% more than Tamarac ($157,840 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $164,829
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $162,524
Tamarac
Nominal: $159,103
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $157,840

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($164,829/year)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $162,524)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tamarac if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($237,257)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Orlando grew 36.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.9% growth in Tamarac over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+36.2%

$117,570 (2019) → $160,090 (2025)

Tamarac, FL

+19.9%

$128,863 (2024) → $154,529 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Orlando or Tamarac?

Orlando has a higher median optometrist salary at $164,829/year, compared to Tamarac at $159,103/year — a difference of $5,726 (3.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Tamarac?

Orlando optometrists earn $79.25/hr while Tamarac hygienists earn $76.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Tamarac as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Tamarac. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $162,524, Tamarac = $157,840), job availability (290 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Orlando vs Tamarac?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $88,154 in Orlando and $92,304 in Tamarac. The Tamarac area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, OD

Career Analyst

Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov